Cassandra Syndrome

Hailing from Maryland, Cassandra Syndrome is a female-fronted operatic metal band. This passionate, engaging act strikes the perfect balance between playful and sinister. Cassandra Syndrome is an intimate theater of darkness and seduction.

Eschewing the synthesizer-laden stereotypes of symphonic metal, Cassandra Syndrome (formed in 2005) revolutionizes the genre with a unique blend of axe-heavy melodic metal and operatic vocals. The powerful alliance of Joe Cariola's punishing bass, scathing riffs of Jen Tonon's rhythm guitar, and throbbing beats of Jay Jericho's drums create a driving ground assault which weakens your defenses before being met by the searing lead lines of guitarist Chris Kackley. Above it all, radiant as Angelic Death, the resplendent soprano of Irene Jericho soars above the battlefield.

The band is currently touring to support their album. Past performances include Ram's Head Live, the Ottobar, Club Orpheus and The Depot in Baltimore, MD, The Asylum, Bound and DC Midnight in Washington, DC, Alley Katz in Richmond and many more. Cassandra Syndrome has also been featured in festivals at Battery Park, NY, Winchester, VA, North Andover, MA, College Park, MD and Richmond, VA.

History

Cassandra Syndrome was formed in November of 2005 by Irene, Jay and Joe as well as two former members of folk rock band Revel Moon, BJ Robey and Brett McCoy. In the band's original incarnation, BJ played rhythm guitar and Brett played lead.

Brett McCoy left Cassandra Syndrome to pursue an independent musical project in late fall of 2006. Chris Kackley joined as lead guitarist in December of the same year.

Cassandra Syndrome's first EP, Dissent Into Heresy, was released in May of 2007.The band toured in support of the EP all over the East Coast.

BJ Robey left Cassandra Syndrome in January of 2008 for personal reasons and for a while, CS was a four-piece. The band recorded their first full-length album, Of Patriots and Tyrants, after signing with Figmental Records in February of 2008. The album was produced by Keith Center and Jeremy Rodgers of The Dreamscapes Project.

Toward the end of work on Of Patriots and Tyrants, Katie Doherty came on board as a rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist. She performed with Cassandra Syndrome from February of 2009 till March of 2010 when she left for personal reasons. Jen Tonon joined the band that same month as the new rhythm guitarist.

Cassandra Syndrome is slated to release their second full-length album, Satire X, August 1st, 2011. Recorded over the winter of 2010 and early spring of 2011, Satire X was produced by Jeremy Rodgers and Lani Urreta.

Cassandra Syndrome has a mailing list, a livejournal community, a Facebook page and a MySpace page. All are updated regularly--stay connected to the world of CS with any of them.

Check out an in-depth interview with Cassandra Syndrome at Sonic Cathedral!